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Tich Dien , or the sacred plowing ritual, is an ancient tradition dating back to the 10th century, which was performed in Duy Tien Town, Ha Nam Province, on February 4th. This ritual holds significant cultural value in Vietnam. The tradition was first introduced during the reign of King Le Dai Hanh. As a symbolic gesture, the king plowed a field in what is now known as Tien Son Commune, inspiring his people to cultivate rice and honor agriculture. Annually, on the 7th day of the Lunar New Year, the festival is held to commemorate this royal gesture. The Vietnamese pay tribute to Than Nong , the deity of agriculture, with prayers for abundant harvests and prosperity. This important national holiday celebrates the country’s rich agricultural heritage. For centuries, the plowing ceremony has been an integral part of Vietnam’s dynastic culture and traditions. Photos: Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times Unfortunately, this ritual fell into obscurity during the reign of King K...

Every year, ten days before Tet, hundreds of farmers from Huong Hoa District in Quang Tri Province, who specialize in growing Siamese bananas, bring their produce to the Tan Long banana market for sale. On special occasions like Tet, Vietnamese people carry out ancestor worship rituals by burning incense and making offerings of food and fruit on the family altar. Bananas are a popular choice for these offerings in northern and central Vietnam, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Income for a bountiful Tet Considered the largest market of its kind in central Vietnam, the Tan Long banana market buzzed with activity as hundreds of people from across Huong Hoa District gathered early Tuesday morning to sell Siamese bananas – a favorite local offering for ancestor worship before Tet.  With wooden bars fixed to the front and back of their motorcycles, each of these sellers can carry up to ten bushels of bananas. On the same day, Ho Van Khe, a resident of Thanh Commune, carried fo...